Police at Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu, have arraigned a 65-year-old woman, Kudirat Tajudeen, before a Lagos Magisterial District court sitting in Ejigbo for allegedly printing and posting an offensive obituary poster of a neighbour in Ikotun, Lagos.
According to the charge filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged incident occurred between 12:00pm and 2:00pm at No. 57 Association Avenue, Ikotun, off Amidu Jimoh Street. The prosecution told the court that the act was carried out in a manner capable of causing public disturbance.
The charge sheet stated that the defendant posted the obituary poster of one Neneruwe Humphrey Jewkins. The prosecution alleged that the publication was offensive and was done in a way that could provoke a breach of peace within the community. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 57(1)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which deals with conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The obituary poster was listed and tendered as an exhibit in the matter. During the proceedings, the Investigating Police Officer, W/Inspector Itua Queen of Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu, was named in the case file. The prosecution is being led by ACP Abaniwonda Tokunbo, PSC. The case was marked CR/NO: 223/2025.
Legal observers note that cases involving publications and public notices often depend on context, intent, and how they are received by members of the public. In this instance, the prosecution argued that the manner of posting the poster could have led to tension in the area.
When the matter came up for arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, SP Benedict Aigbokhan, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Usman, thereafter granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with conditions attached to ensure her appearance at subsequent hearings. Bail in criminal matters is a standard procedure and does not imply guilt or innocence.
Magisterial District courts in Lagos handle a wide range of criminal matters at the lower court level, including cases bordering on public order. The court adjourned the matter for further hearing to allow both the prosecution and defence to prepare their case.
Under Nigerian law, every person accused of an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court is expected to review evidence from both the prosecution and the defence before arriving at any findings or judgment in the case.
Community members in Ikotun are expected to follow proceedings when the case resumes next month as the court continues to determine the facts surrounding the allegation.